News Release

Monday, August 22, 2011

The SWAT officer involved in the below officer involved shooting has been identified as Police Officer III Dain Hurst, who has been with the Department for 21 years and 3 months.

Los Angeles: Last night, just after 9:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Major Crime Detectives were conducting surveillance of a friend of Brent D. Zubek, a man wanted in conjunction with a double homicide that occurred in Devonshire Area on August 12, 2011. The detectives were monitoring the activities of the person in hopes she would lead them to Zubek.

(Zubek is suspected of killing a man and a woman whose bodies were found in a dumpster in Chatsworth on August 12th outside a home on Lassen Street where all three had once lived.)

On August 21, 2011, just after 9:30 p.m., Detectives from LAPD Major Crimes Division had observed Devonshire Area Homicide Suspect Zubek, at Noeline Avenue at Ventura Blvd. in West Valley Area. The Detectives began a brief foot pursuit of Zubek, who turned and fired one round at the detectives from a handgun. The detectives, observing the muzzle flash from the suspect’s handgun, immediately requested help and set up a perimeter to contain Zubek in the area.

Numerous officers responded from around the San Fernando Valley area including Metropolitan K-9, SWAT and an Air Unit. Because of the violent nature of Zubek’s actions, reverse 911 calls and NIXLE alerts were initiated warning people to stay inside their homes or businesses and to call 911 if they saw or heard anything in their immediate area.

After several hours of searching the area, Metro K-9 officers encountered Zubek, who was on a residential rooftop at the 4600 block of Libbit Street near Ventura Blvd. Zubek pulled out a handgun and pointed toward the officers. An officer involved shooting occurred. Zubek was struck in the lower torso. Officers were able to get up onto the roof and take Zubek into custody. They assisted Zubek off of the roof by using a stretcher and immediately called for medical help.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transported to a local area hospital where he was treated and released. Zubek has been booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer and a Federal Probation Violation at Devonshire station and being held without bail. Zubek was transported to Van Nuys Jail

No officers were injured in the incident. A loaded handgun was recovered at the scene.

LAPD Devonshire Area detectives are investigating the Homicide and LAPD Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating the officer involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Devonshire Area Detectives at 818-832-0609. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.